PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic

Short bio

PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic is Malwarebytes’ detection name for a so-called system optimizer. These “system optimizers” use intentional false positives to convince users that their Windows systems have problems. Then, they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these problems. The software is called Universal PC Mechanic, and it belongs to a family that started with Master PC Cleaner.

GUI of Universal PC Mechanic

Symptoms

Universal PC Mechanic uses the Task Scheduler to run when any user logs on. Users may notice the icon in the system tray and the main GUI of the program.

Scheduled Task for Universal PC Mechanic

Universal PC Mechanic icons

Type and source of infection

Programs in this family are promoted by fake online scanners and packaged in bundlers.

Website trying to scare users into thinking their system is infected

Aftermath

Programs like this might give users a false sense of security, possibly exposing them to malware infections. Users should be aware that the telephone numbers displayed by the programs in this family have been found to act as tech support scammers.

Protection

Malwarebytes blocks the installation of Universal PC Mechanic by detecting the installer and blocking the websites that spread and sell this software.

Malwarebytes blocks the Universal PC Mechanic installer.

Malwarebytes blocks the sites that make visitors think their systems are infected.

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic without further user interaction.

1. Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
2. Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
3. When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
4. Click on the Get started button.
5. Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
6. Click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
7. Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.

Malwarebytes removal log

A Malwarebytes log of removal will look similar to this:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 2/5/18
Scan Time: 9:15 AM
Log File: b58b0a42-0a4c-11e8-9439-080027750297.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.3870
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 241428
Threats Detected: 64
Threats Quarantined: 64
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 47 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 1
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\oscm.exe, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870

Module: 7
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Common.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\oscm.exe, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\System.Data.SQLite.DLL, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\TAFactory.IconPack.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870

Registry Key: 7
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Universal PC Mechanic_Logon, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{C9BAE049-02D8-43A8-99F1-46825D4C3CDB}, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{C9BAE049-02D8-43A8-99F1-46825D4C3CDB}, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{0005F358-4516-4DC1-8E92-0210D7DDA29C}_is1, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.MasterPCCleaner, HKLM\SOFTWARE\SPCT-PR, Quarantined, [6571], [484509],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}, Quarantined, [7622], [486085],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.MasterPCCleaner, HKLM\SOFTWARE\aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zbWFydHN5c3Rvb2xzLmNvbS8=, Quarantined, [6571], [440348],1.0.3870

Registry Value: 2
PUP.Optional.MasterPCCleaner, HKLM\SOFTWARE\SPCT-PR|PXL, Quarantined, [6571], [484509],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{0005F358-4516-4DC1-8E92-0210D7DDA29C}_is1|DISPLAYNAME, Quarantined, [7622], [486086],1.0.3870

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 8
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\x64, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\x86, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\PROGRAM FILES\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}, Quarantined, [7622], [486081],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\PROGRAMDATA\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\smico, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870

File: 39
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\Universal PC Mechanic.lnk, Quarantined, [7622], [486083],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\PROGRAM FILES\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\unins000.dat, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\danish_apc_da.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\Dutch_apc_nl.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\english_apc_en.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\finish_apc_fi.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\French_apc_fr.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\german_apc_de.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\italian_apc_it.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\japanese_apc_ja.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\norwegian_apc_no.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\portuguese_apc_ptbr.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\russian_apc_ru.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\spanish_apc_es.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\langs\swedish_apc_sv.ini, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\x86\SQLite.Interop.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\AppRes.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\HtmlRenderer.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\HtmlRenderer.WinForms.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Common.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\oscm.exe, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\oscm.exe.config, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\System.Data.SQLite.DLL, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\TAFactory.IconPack.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\TaskScheduler.dll, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\unins000.exe, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\unins000.msg, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\Universal PC Mechanic_Logon, Quarantined, [7622], [486080],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Buy Universal PC Mechanic.lnk, Quarantined, [7622], [486081],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Uninstall Universal PC Mechanic.lnk, Quarantined, [7622], [486081],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Universal PC Mechanic.lnk, Quarantined, [7622], [486081],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\ProgramData\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\mpc.db, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\Errorlog.txt, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\exlist.bin, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\res.xml, Quarantined, [7622], [486082],1.0.3870
PUP.Optional.UniversalPCMechanic, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\USMSETUP.EXE, Quarantined, [7622], [486087],1.0.3870

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)

Add an exclusion

Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.

• Open Malwarebytes for Windows.
• Click the Detection History
• Click the Allow List
• To add an item to the Allow List, click Add.
• Select the exclusion type Allow a file or folder and use the Select a folder button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
• Repeat this for any secondary files or folder(s) that belong to the software.

If you want to allow the program to connect to the Internet, for example to fetch updates, also add an exclusion of the type Allow an application to connect to the internet and use the Browse button to select the file you wish to grant access.

Traces/IOC

Possible signs in FRST logs:

() C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\oscm.exe
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}
C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Universal PC Mechanic_Logon
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Universal PC Mechanic.lnk
C:\ProgramData\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}
C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}

Universal PC Mechanic (HKLM\…\{0005F358-4516-4DC1-8E92-0210D7DDA29C}_is1) (Version: 1.0.0.1344 – )
Task: {C9BAE049-02D8-43A8-99F1-46825D4C3CDB} – System32\Tasks\Universal PC Mechanic_Logon => C:\Program Files\Universal PC Mechanic on {computername}\oscm.exe [2018-01-31] ()